LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1922, Page 7

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Auckland League's senior competition:—

CITT V. PONSONBY. City gained a decisive victory over Ponsonby to the tune of 40 points to 9 at Carlaw Tark last Saturday, In a game which was marked for fine combination on the part of the winning team. In the first ■spell play was much more even thau the final result showed. City having to play in the face of a strong sunlight. City took up the attack from the kick-oIT, and for some time contested the issue in Ponsonby's twouty-ilve, where from the scrum the ball was handled by the invading backs, and a score by B. Davidson eventuated. City continued their offensive, but Delgrosso diverted play into their own territory, aud following on an exciting tussle the same player kicked two successful goals for infringements. In the last stages of the spell City were again pressing hard on Ponsouliy's front, the attack resulting in a score just before the half-time bell. In the second half City showed what they were made of. and practically took charge of the game. Their passing was clean and good to watch, and resulted In a rapid succession of scores. Ponsonby made a fairly good showing, but more on account of individual play than any combined efforts. Towards the end of th*e game they rallied and forced City back to the twentyfive mark, where MeClymont got through to score. In the scrum work neither teams showed to great advantage. Of the City combination the team worked so well together that it would be difficult to single out any player for particular praise. On the other hand Ponsonby were lacking in combination, but Delgrosso. McClvmont and Hing shone out among the backs for individual play. Walsh was also a useful man behind the scrum and in the ruck.

FIRE BRIGADE JUST MISSES. Newton were able to snatch victory from Fire Brigade with a good try obtained in the closing stages of a game which was a credit to both sides and a pleasure to the spectators who stood in the sun ou each side-line. The final tally, '19-17 in favour of Newton, hardly did justice to the performance of the fire-fighters, a team who seem to be improving rapidly week by week. However, there is no gainsaying the fact that both thirteens played well, Newton's ■better form nnd team work apparently prevailing. Gregory -was not as steady as usual at full for the Rangers, but Voysey. Lewis, Cioke. and Poison did yeoman service. Williams made the opening try, but was not always reliable. Brown showed up to advantage on attack and in the loose, but was weak on defence. Of the van. Clarke showed up throughout, whilst solid work was put in by Brockliss. Somers. c. Jaimes, and iMiller. the last mentioned haying to leave the field owing to a knock to his leg. The Fire Brigade pack, of whom Cargill. in the back liTe. played dashingly but with a tendency to get offside, got a good share of the leather from the serums. Probably the presence of Rnlcutai. the veteran hooker, had something to do with this. Lemming and Coates were also busy. It was not the fault of Mc-Clure. the Fire Brigade half, that the whites did not accomplish more. His exhibition was most attractive, and he kept his hacks liberally supplied with timely passes. Herring and I.ovett played fairly well, but it was to J. Woolley and Waring that honours must go. Waring was always alert, and. in the first half especially, he gave a taste of his merits. Tie also kicked two good goals, and made tw:o other fine attempts at the sticks. Newdiclc was ser viceahle at full-back, but at times roamed out of his place.

RICHMOND V. DEVONPOHT. A warm pace was set ror a short time at the Richmond v. Devonport match by the former team, but unfortunately it did not last for very long. Considerably before! half time the Devonport pack had their opponents well under and the second half of the game was in their favour throughout. Towards the close of the game the match had degenerated into a ludi-crous spectacle. The winning team seemed to be playing with the Richmond pack. They i walked about the field just as they liked, and it was a wonder that the score was not 47 to 15, instead of 37 to 15. The first try in the game, and incidentally his first this season, was made by Godick, who played a consistently good game throughout the match. Hanlon, the Richmond full-back, was easily evaded, and the try was the forerunner of a number of very easy ones From a scrum shortly after Taylor obtained the ball which he passed to Laing, who made a great opening. The latter gave the ball to Douglas, who crossed between the posts. This gave Devouport a lead of the points. C. Webb increased the lead with another easy try, hut Johnson's kick went wide of the mark. Another try was secured by St. George. Wheeler took the ball down field, and kicked for centre when tackled. Douglas picked up the leather, passed to St. George, who again went over the line, but Hand failed to convert the try. A little later Taylor got the ball from P. Webb, and fell over the line, but Scott did not succeed with the attempt. Smothering the fullback's kick, P. Webb got the ball and made for the line. Webb converted his own try very successfully, making Dcvonport's lead 24 to ml, which he further increased with another three points after an easy ruu. C. Webb did not convert the try. The whistle sounded with Devonport attacking Well down the field, the scores being:— Devonport 27, Richmond 0.

Devonport scored again shortly after resuming, when Lning almost walked through, Haulon making an ineffective attempt to stop him. This being converted hy Harrison, brought the Shore total up to 32. Richmond's lirst score was secured by E, Davis after a good piece of play, and in the face of a good deal of opposition, hut Lawsou failed lo add the major points. The winning team were now doing very much as they pleased. The Richmond defence was quite ineffective. Richmond had their score increased to five by Butler easily negotiating a free-kick in front of the goal. The kicking of the captain (E. Carroll) was distinctly disappointing. An easy try. the work of Johnson, increased the Devonport total to 37. A try secured and converted by Butler brought the losers up to 10. Just before the whistle sounded McDonald scored another, which, converted by Butler, made the final scores—Devonport 37, Richmond 15. Mr. L. Benson was .v charge of the game. MARIST 0.8. V. A____ETICS. 'Contrary to all expectations the mate— played on No. 2 ground, Carlaw Park, between Athletic and Marlst was not an even game, aud Athletic experienced no difficulty in defeating the greens by 20 points to 8. The winners played with much better combination in this game, and showed a wonderful improvement since the previous Saturday. Had the -playing -field been in better condition, and not so wet and greasy, the play, although fast on Saturday for such a ground, would have been much more interesting.

Flynn, at fullback, did not play up to his usual form, but was always safe. Dufty is the strong man in the Athletic team, and w-as always in the right place with the right kick. His line kicking was a feature of the match on Saturday. Nicholson, at half-back, played a really fine game, as did also Avery in the forwards. Minogue played fullback for Marists. and gave a very creditable display in his new position. Ghent, Bass, Singe and Gallagher all got through a good afternoon's work.

One change has been made in the Auckland team that wiU play Cambridge at Carlaw Park to-morrow. Owing to injuries sustained by F. Dclgrosso his place on the wing of the three-quarter line will be taken by S. Webb. In the emergencies for the game have been included also B. Davidson (City) and Poison (Newton).